The underlying rock of the park is mostly granite, gneiss and diorite. These igneous rocks are among the oldest in New Zealand mostly Ordovician , and are among the hardest and most resistant to erosion, helping them remain almost unchanged since the last ice age, when an ice cap was covering the mountain areas of Fiordland.
The glacier tongues that flowed from it gouged the 14 fiords that fringe the southwest seaward edge of Fiordland National Park. Shaped like massive knife cuts into the land, these fiords were carved during successive ice ages and were , years in the making.
The final details added during the most recent ice age just 10, years ago. On all sides of the fiords, spectacular waterfalls tumble as the region's plentiful rainfall finds its way to the sea.
The most famous of these, Milford Sound is visited by over , tourists annually. They all add to the stunning landscape of Fiordland National Park. The national park is home to the largest region of pristine wilderness that has gone untouched by mankind. The forests are comprised of silver and mountain beech with a few conifers. Ferns are found throughout the dense forest floor. Hundreds of thousands of people explore the area annually.
Boat tours and cruises are the most common way to experience the majestic world of the fjords. Kayaking is another popular way to experience the fjords, however, this is for the more conditioned and adventurous. Alpine climbers who are conditioned and adventurous can venture into the multi-day climbs of Hollyford, Kepler, and Milford. Mirror Lake is a popular attraction and stops along the road through Homer Pass. Milford Sound reaches depths of 1, feet m. It measures a length of 12 miles 19 km while reaching widths around 2 miles 3 km.
Mitre Peak at 5, feet 1, m and Pembroke Peak at 6, feet 2, m serve as backdrops of the astounding landscape of this beautiful fjord. Milford Sound is the most popular fjord of the national park. It is a targeting destination within the park itself. For many global visitors, as well as locals, this is one of the best attractions throughout the entire country. Doubtful Sound is the second most popular sound right behind Milford Sound.
This remarkable natural environment features stunning fiords, spectacular waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Ancient rainforest clings impossibly to the mountains; waterfalls tumble hundreds of meters into massive fiords; shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago. A fiord is defined as a u-shaped glacier-carved valley which has been flooded by the sea.
The fourteen fiords that fringe this south-west corner of the South Island were , years in the making, with the final details added during the most recent ice age just 10, years ago. The Maori attributed the creation of the fiords to a giant stonemason called Tute Rakiwhanoa, who hued out the steep sided valleys with his adzes.
On all sides of the fiords, spectacular waterfalls tumble incessantly as the region's plentiful rainfall finds its way to the sea. The remaining two-thirds of Fiordland National Park are covered by virgin beech and pod carp forest. A kilometre network of walking tracks opens in new window allows visitors to explore the primeval world of mountain peaks, alpine lakes and moss-carpeted valleys.
In Fiordland was listed as a United Nations World Heritage site and given the name Te Wahipounamu - 'the place of greenstone', after the area's most treasured mineral resource.
The Department of Conservation provides more than 50 hikers' huts in the park opens in new window. More basic huts are available on the other tracks - in most you will find sleeping platforms with mattresses, toilet facilities and a water supply. A wide range of accommodation can be found in and around the lakeside townships of Te Anau and Manapouri. At Milford Sound , the only fiord accessible by road, there is a backpackers' lodge. The most famous and consequently most popular is the Milford Track , which takes five days to complete.
The Kepler Track is a circular route that can be walked in four days and the Routeburn , which crosses into Mount Aspiring National Park , generally takes three days. There are many other less famous - but just as spectacular - tracks to explore.
Several of the fiords can be explored by sea kayak , as can lakes in Te Anau and Manapouri. Diving in Fiordland provides a rare chance to see deep-water sea plants growing near the surface. Local residents include dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Every day scenic flights and coach services deliver visitors to Milford Sound for scenic cruises.
Eco-cruises of the less accessible fiords can be arranged in Te Anau or Manapouri.
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